Hello - I created this thread because I need guidance on building a gaming desktop. I don't have much experience with this - the only thing I know is about what the components actually do. My goal is to make a great GAMING PC for myself for about 600-800$ - I want to try to not go over 700 but i also want to get the most out of my money. I am using websites such as google, newegg( especially the reviews!). I won't get state of the art technology with that budget, but I still want it to last a good number of years with the latest games. I live in and will be buying from the USA. Keep in mind that since i have never built a computer so I'm not really sure too what I'm doing. I figured that I would order all the parts and then just try to put it together. So far, the parts that I think I need are: Processor Motherboard Video Card RAM Monitor Computer Case Hard Drive CD/DVD Burner I have done a little researched on the processors and I would prefer to have an intel over amd. I have narrow it down to two processors but not sure which one is better and more worth the money. please help. 1. Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I5750 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16819115215 ) 2. Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor BX80570E8400 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16819115037 ) And the following items I chose out of best ratings and mostly positive reviews. Please give me your honest opinion. Motherboard - ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813131232 ) Video Card - ASUS EN9500GT/DI/1GD2/V2/A GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16814121339 ) Ram or Memory - I was not really sure if this was the best one. Any better memory or about the same price I can use? G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820231098 ) Monitor- I currently have a Vizio 32', hopefully I can use that as a monitor. If you know any good deals. Please help me out! Greatly appreciated Computer Case (Chassis) - Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811129066 ) Hard Drive- Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16822136218 ) CD/DVD Burner - ASUS black 24X DVD ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16827135204 I'm not too concern about keyboard and mouse but if you know tips, please post. Let me know if I left out anything. I really appreciate the help. Thanks a lot for posting!
Processor - get the i5. Mainboard - get something from gigabyre; Asus sucks. Video - Not the greatest chip, and made by a terrible company. Keep researching. Ram - You will need DDR3 for an i5...not DDR2. Also, you will probably want (at least) a pair of 2GB sticks. Corsair is the best ram around as far as quality goes. Your old screen should work just fine. Case - That is a fine case, but very overpriced. For the money you are wasting on that case, you could upgrade to a much better video card. Hard Drive - That is a decent drive, and it should do just fine as long as you have enough ram. DVD Burner - Asus makes terrible parts across the board. LG makes cheap yet quality DVD burners...Pioneer is good too.
What video card would you recommend for the i5 that is good for gaming and wont burn out like I heard about other graphic cards? Thanks for posting
If a card is made by a half-decent company like gigabyte, evga, or even sapphire, then it probably won't have any "burn out" issues as long as you give it some decent airflow. Even if you are not buying from newegg, go there for the reviews (I never buy from newegg...their service sucks). Skip to the 1-2 egg reviews...if they are dumb little complaints like, "I thought that this card came with a screen"...then it is probably a very good card. Generally, more performance costs more money...but not always vice-versa. I would recommend the highest numbered ATI "HD" series card that you can get for your budget.
I heard mixed things about ASUS. I saw a research project comprises of computer manufactures and asus was the lowest for malfunctions. Did you have a first hand experience failure with asus? I would like to clarify to make sure I dont buy the wrong the thing. Thanks for replying Killerbug!
well before we get into the companies, you need to seect compatible components. You want to the i5 750, without a doubt. Next the mobo you selected is the LGA775, which won't work on the i5 750. You will need an LGA1156 board. Next you need DDR3 RAM, and i would suggest going with a 4GB set, with windows 7 64bit. now you want a gaming pc? The 9500GT is more of a video card you get when an integrated GPU breaks. Unless you only want to play 10 year old games it won't be up to much. Do you know the resolution of your monitor? now i won't get into brands as everyone has their favourite. Take a look at sites like bittech and anandtech for mobo reviews and gfx reviews, and you can select your favourite from them. as for your case, its very good for the price. A couple fans extra wouldn't hurt. Half decent cable management. You might be better of with an nzxt case for aorund the same price, but they look fugly. Though inside they are some of the very best. as for dvd drives, i always go for the cheapest and it always works. Its just a dvd drive after all. Imo get a 4GB usb drive and use the MS usb tool to make windows 7 boot off that, and keep that safe. when i actually get to a pc i will post links of a few kb/m that are very good and give you my own spec aswell.
I personally have many ASUS products, among them 2 motherboards in custom made systems, a netbook, and a 23" monitor. I love them all and have never had any troubles. Just my 2 cents.
I have a questions with regards to INTEL i5 what is a better chip. i5 LynnField, Clarkdale, or Arrandale for gaming? I was looking at this one I have a questions with regards to INTEL i5 Lynnfield 2.66ghz
Please see if this is a good SET-UP.. I'm open for opinion CPU – $209.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067 Motherboard –$119.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=False&VendorMark=&Keywords=(keywords)&Page=2 Video Card – $109.99 (plus shipping $7 ) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121362 Power Supply – $89.99 ($20 mail in rebate - $69.99) Shipping $3.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Deals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID= RAM (memory)- $ 97.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277 Harddrive - $74.99 (promo code EMCYWYP32 $20.00 off ) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 CD/DVD Optical Drive – $18.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289 Computer Case (Chassis) – $69.99 (shipping $9.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066 Monitor – 32” Vizio TV 720p with RGB and HDMI input Total = $812.90 cents -$20 promo code -$20 mail-in-rebate ------------------------- $772.90 cents About wireless, I need Ethernet cable and a router? I cant get like an internal wireless adapter for it to work? Cuz its cheaper that way.
I have reconsider, I will be going with the AMD Phenom X4 965 or 955 BLACK EDITION... what is a good MOBO, RAM, and Video Card to use.. and i'm thinking about getting a CORAIR cpu cooler to fit in my ANTEC case??? ANY SUGGESTION?? I'm in need of a PC LOL
Okay! I am going with the AMD PHENOM II X4 965 Black Edition. I need a motherboard that will last and is good for playing starcraft 2. If the motherboard has a onboard video card HD 4290.. do I need to get another video card to play Starcraft 2 and use it? Here are the list I came up with. (cannot decide) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Deals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID= http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131633&cm_re=m4a89-_-13-131-633-_-Product http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131366 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131402
I finally came up with the list. I hope this is good for its price and fullproof CPU AND MOBO $289.98 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.430439 RAM $ 93.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189 Video Card – $109.99 (plus shipping $7 ) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121362 Harddrive - $74.99 (promo code EMCYWYP32 $20.00 off ) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 Power Supply – $89.99 ($20 mail in rebate - $69.99) Shipping $3.99 ($10 off w/ promo code EMCYWYP25) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Deals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID= CD/DVD Optical Drive – $18.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289 Computer Case (Chassis) – $69.99 (shipping $9.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066 Sub-Total - $731.92 -$20 MIR TOTAL = $711.92
I can't speak for the whole population, but the fact that every Asus product I have owned has failed very prematurely, along with several other people's, should give some idea as to how well-made their products are. There are plenty of viable alternatives, Gigabyte MSI and Biostar can between them offer anything Asus will. As for your most recent list - that CPU/MB combo isn't available any more, so I can't see which components were in it. The GPU, if from a brand other than Asus, would be fine. The rest of the system is also fine. However, you're going massively overkill on the PSU. Even if that CPU/MB combo had a top-end 130W CPU in it [which I doubt for $290] you'd be fine with a 400W Corsair CX.
